This Week In The General Assembly

Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly for the week ending May 20, 2011. For more information on any of these items visit http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/

House approves Petrarca civil unions bill

The House voted 62 to 11 to allow same-sex couples to enter civil unions. The legislation (2011-H 6103Aaa) sponsored by Rep. Peter J. Petrarca (D-Dist. 44, Lincoln, Johnston, Smithfield) is modeled after laws approved in Illinois, Delaware and Hawaii and grants legal rights to same-sex partners without the historical and religious meaning associated with the word “marriage.” The bill will now proceed to the Senate.

Click here to see news release.

House OKs Carnevale bill calling for reporting of campus crime

The House has approved legislation (2011-H 5215) to require the reporting of campus crime at private institutions with special police forces. Sponsored by Rep. John M. Carnevale (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston), the bill impacts Brown University specifically, and will require the university to release more information about incidents on its campus and neighboring streets where its police force has arrest powers.

Commission: Ease colleges' reliance on tuition

Rhode Island needs to find spending efficiencies at its public colleges and university and cut its reliance on ever-increasing tuitions to achieve its goal of a well-educated workforce that attracts employers and supports a robust economy, said the initial findings of a House commission that is studying the costs and accessibility of a public college degree in the state. The report lays out the subjects the commission, led by Rep. Frank Ferri (D-Dist. 22, Warwick), will pursue as it continues with its study over the next several years.

Click here to see news release.

House votes to create commission to study use of biofuels

The House approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Eileen S. Naughton (D-Dist. 21, Warwick) to establish a commission that would study the use of biofuels – gaseous, liquid, or solid substance of biological origin that is used as a fuel. The bill (2011-H 5390aa) would create a special study commission to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of various forms of incentives to promote the development and use of advanced biofuels in Rhode Island.

Click here to see news release.